Caterham Prep Wins Independent Prep School of the Year – Tes School Awards 2026

Caterham Prep School – Tes School Awards – Independent Prep School of the Year 

Winners announced at the 2026 ‘Oscars of Education’

Caterham Prep has been named Independent Prep School of the Year in the Times Education Supplement School Awards. Selected from hundreds of UK entries, and a final shortlist of eight schools, Caterham Prep was chosen for its excellence of provision, its consistent drive for innovation, including building ethical AI, and an extensive partnership programme supporting state-maintained primary schools across East Surrey. 

The win follows Caterham School being named as Best Independent School in the 2023 Tes School Awards, meaning that Caterham is the only UK school to be named both best independent senior school and best independent prep school. 

The Tes awards celebrate the extraordinary commitment, quality and innovation shown by teachers and schools across the UK. The awards ceremony took place on Friday 19 June at the Grosvenor House Hotel, on London’s Park Lane. 

Ben Purkiss, Headmaster of Caterham Prep, said: “We are absolutely blown away by this win, and are honoured to be recognised by the esteemed judging panel. It is truly an achievement for all of our community – teachers, pupils and parents. Whilst we are thrilled with this accolade, our focus has always been, and will continue to be, on our pupils. Front and foremost to us is that our children receive the best possible education – and that they love their school and feel a sense of belonging here. We are incredibly proud of our partnership work with our state-maintained primary school partners, and we share this win with them too.” 

The 2026 Tes Schools Awards brought together the best teachers and schools from UK state and independent settings, including early years, primary schools and secondary schools. 

The panel of awards judges included school leaders, experts and education researchers. The objectivity, professionalism and high standards of the Tes Schools Awards judges and the judging process has helped establish the awards as a well-respected achievement for any school chosen as a finalist or winner.  Caterham Prep was announced as the Independent Prep School of the Year with comedian Katherine Ryan presenting the award. 

Tes Awards Judge Simon Larter-Evans said: “Caterham School is a previous winner of this award, and the judges found little difficulty in recognising it again. The school continues to innovate with purpose, maintaining and strengthening the local partnerships that have long been a hallmark of its approach. 

Its adoption of educational technology is especially carefully considered. Caterham Prep recently achieved an exceptional 39.5 out of 40 for its Gold AI Quality Mark. 

Evidence-based decision-making, strong staff CPD, and no gender gaps in outcomes round out a picture of a school that combines innovation with rigour. 
Judge Simon Larter-Evans said: “A previous winner, for good reason. This school continues to shine as a solid and consistent innovator.”